Introduction

The official Arch Linux IRC channel is #archlinux on the Freenode network.

There are also a number of other channels dedicated to Arch Linux maintained by community members. See IRC Channels for a listing.

Usage

To join the channels, you need an irc client. Wikipedia has a list of irc clients. The following commands can be used inside your IRC client to connect to a server and join a channel:

/connect irc.freenode.net
/join #archlinux

#archlinux - The official support channel

This is the main channel. The central topic for the channel is support and general discussion about Arch Linux.

The channel is currently +q $~a. This means that you have to register and identify with the NickServ service before you can talk in the channel. After you have connected to irc.freenode.net (or chat.freenode.net), use the following commands for help getting all set up with NickServ:

#archlinux rules

If you want to bring a bot into the channel, then ask an operator before you do so.

Auto-response in channel or in pm is not allowed (the only exception is 'away' responses at nick highlight in pm).

Channelbot usage

There is only one official channel bot. 'phrik n=archbot@archlinux/bot/phrik'

Try to limit the bot usage in channel. Remember, you can '/query phrik' when the output is not needed in-channel.

No spamming of bot commands

Advertising

Advertising is not allowed unless an op has given you permission to do so.

Content/links

The main topic of the channel is support for and discussion about Arch Linux.

Talk about general software and hardware is allowed if it does not interfere with the main topic of the channel.

Anything that is not covered by the previous statements is handled on a case-by-case basis at the op's discretion.

#archlinux guidelines

The main language of the channel is English. If you need help in another language, see the link above regarding other Arch Linux channels. You can also do /query alis list #archlinux*.

The channel topic often contains useful and/or important information. It is good practice to read it from time to time. You can use /topic to read it if your client does not display it.

Do not start flamewars, also avoid the "20 lines of 'foo > bar'" discussions.

Do not feed the trolls, if someone is trolling and/or baiting, then ignore them. Also feel free to notify a channel operator.

Spamming the channel is Bad (with a capital B). Use a pastebin if you have to paste something long (more than 3 lines).
Pastie and Codepad are two popular ones within the Arch community. Several pastebin programs exist in the repos, to output the result of a command to a file use program &> program-output.txt.

phrik (the channel bot) is not your personal toy, abusing him is not allowed. If you want to try out commands or look trough the help function, then do it in a /query or /msg. Example: /query phrik help <command>

Do not ask to ask, if anyone is alive or if anyone uses something, just state your question.

Help us help you, ask smart questions. It is easier for us to help you when you ask good/smart questions.

Ask for help, do not demand it, if nobody replies, wait for a few minutes before you restate your question. Most questions get answered by 'just another user', just like you. Even the developers that frequent the channel do so on their own time, by their own accord, by their own free will.

Do not be shy, feel free to help others, 'everyone' has something to contribute. The channel is a community effort to provide support, and depends on volunteers.

Help yourself before you ask. Read the Wiki and man pages, search the BBS and/or Google. Sticking to this method will often get you an answer faster, and you may just happen to learn something from it.

When asking for help, always reply to people that ask you for more information, if you do not know the answer then say so.

Set a good example; be what you want other people to be. If you act like a moron, then people will respond to you as if you were one. The behavior of those already in the channel is also a big influence on those new to the channel. If you want the channel to be a friendly place, then be friendly to others.

#archlinux operators

If you for some reason need the help of an op, do not be shy to /q(uery) or /msg us. Here is the list of ops as of 09 June 2009: